New research details the relationship between physical activity and the risk of dementia, with a significant reduction in risk requiring less physical exercise than you think.
A team led by researchers at Johns Hopkins University in the US found that up to 35 minutes of moderate to intense exercise each week is associated with a 41% reduction in the risk of dementia compared to people who have not exercised at all.
There were other encouraging discoveries. Even the oldest of us can reduce our risk of dementia by increasing our weekly activities, and even a few minutes a week of exercise can have a protective effect on brain health.
“Our findings suggest that increased physical activity can reduce the risk of dementia in older people, even just five minutes a day.” say Johns Hopkins epidemiologist Amal Wanigatonga.
The researchers analyzed data on 89,667 adults, with an average age of 4.4 and aged 63. Data were recorded using a dedicated activity tracker worn on the wrist and movements were recorded over time.
Additionally, by recording which participants developed dementia, researchers were able to link their activities to dementia risk. Compared to those who did not exercise, the risk of dementia was 60% lower for those who underwent physical activity for 36-70 minutes a week, and 63% lower in the 71-140 minute category.
People who banked more than 140 minutes of physical activity per week had a 69% reduction in their risk of dementia. With so many potential factors, from diet to genetics, this does not prove a direct cause or effect, but suggests that exercise and brain health are closely linked (as we saw in previous studies).
These associations remained roughly the same for participants classified as frail. Researchers want to emphasize that anyone at every stage of life can benefit from the extra exercise at almost every level.
“This suggests that even elderly people may be able to reduce their risk of dementia through low-dose exercise.” say Crocodile guts.
So, if you feel like you’re not as exercising as you should, remember that it’s never too late for it to begin. Previous research has shown that spending more time on the move and exercising can help reverse long-standing inactivity.
Although further research is needed to explore why this connection exists, it makes sense that a healthier body means a healthier brain. Exercise has been shown to increase the size of brain regions associated with learning and memory, for example.
“This increases the growing evidence that some kind of exercise is better than nothing, especially with regard to aging-related disorders that affect the brain without current treatments.” say Crocodile guts.
This study is published in Journal of the American Medical Directors Association.
